Author Katie Pasek

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting on top of a parade float next to the "Toystory" character Jessie. To his left are Sully and Mike from "Monsters, Inc." and to his left are Miguel and Dante from "Coco." The float is decorated in bright colors and metal streamers. In the foreground is the iconic Pixar yellow ball with a blue stripe and red star from "Toystory." Junior said he had fun, though he was nervous about his first encounter with monsters.

Junior's adventures in California:
Partying with Jessie, Sully, Mike, Miguel, and Dante.
#kidlit #orangutan #pixar #toystory #monstersinc #coco #disneyland

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is swinging from the support arm of an oversized Pixar desk lamp. The white lamp is decorated with a variety of kid-themed stickers like music notes and super hero sounds. The lamp is on top of a purple, yellow, blue and red pedestal float. Junior said he thought swinging from the lamp was a "bright" idea until the float starting moving forward.

Junior's adventures in California:
Hanging out with the lamp from Pixar.
#kidlit #orangutan #pixar #disneyland

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is riding behind Russell from "Up" on the back of Kevin, who has iridescent blue, purple, and yellow plumage. Russell is wearing his Wilderness Explorer uniform. Junior said he pick the napping spot because Kevin's feathers looked very soft, however, the ride was bumpier than he anticipated.

Junior's adventures in California:
Catching some zzz's with Russell and Kevin.
#kidlit #orangutan #pixar #upmovie #disneyland

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting on the front of a scooter decked out in the red, orange, yellow, and black colors from "The Incredibles" movie. Frozone is standing behind Junior, piloting the scooter. Junior was a little disappointed that his ride with a superhero was soooooo slow.

Junior's adventures in California:
Cooling off with Frozone.
#kidlit #orangutan #pixar #theincredibles #frozone #disneyland

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting on a float made of multi-colored "memory balls." Behind him, Joy and Sadness from the movie "Inside Out" are riding in the red wagon from the movie with rainbows emitting from brooms on either side of the wagon. To Junior's left, Bing Bong is looking toward the oncoming floats in the Pixar Friends parade. Junior later confessed that riding on a float made from memories wasn't as comfortable as it sounded.

Junior's adventures in California:
Bouncing between Sadness and Joy.
#kidlit #orangutan #disneyland #pixar #insideout

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting on the back of an oversized toy yellow dump truck facing away from Woody, the cowboy character from Disney’s “Toy Story” movie. Junior didn’t realize he was joining a parade when he asked Woody for a ride, but he didn’t mind all the cheers from spectators.

Junior’s adventures in California: Catching a ride with Woody.
#kidlit #orangutan #disneyland #toystory

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting in the middle of our fake tree. It has multi-tonal orange leaves with tiny white LED lights at then end of every branch. The space that the branches encompass is roughly twice Junior’s size. Sadly, that is not enough space for him to build a proper day nest, he said.

Junior decided it was a little too cold to venture outside today, so he’s enjoying our indoor autumn tree instead.
#kidlit #orangutan #fall2025

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting on a log on the edge of a shallow pool of water facing a tall waterfall that is cascading down between two sides of a rocky mountain. Many of the rocks are covered with moss or other vegetation. Junior was surprised how loud the waterfall was. He where he could find the mute button.

Junior’s adventures in Oregon:
Admiring nature in Silver Falls State Park. Can you find Junior?
#kidlit #orangatan #oregon #silverfalls

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is climbing up a very tall, thin tree. A similar, thicker tree is beside it. Behind Junior is a waterfall cascading into a pool of water. Evergreen and deciduous trees are in the foreground and background of the photo. Junior was quite proud of having climbed such a tall tree. He was unsure, however, of how to get back down.

Junior’s adventures in Oregon:
Climbing trees in Silver Falls State Park. Can you find Junior?
#kidlit #orangatan #oregon #silverfalls

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting on a beige carpet in front of a basket of autumn-color flowers and leaves. He is wearing a sign around his neck that covers most of his body. The sign reads “NOT AN ORANGUTAN.” In case you were wondering, yes, he had help spelling “orangutan.”

Junior designed his own Halloween costume this year. Think he’ll fool anyone?
#kidlit #orangutan #halloween2025

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting with his back to the camera and is facing a large, dark green tub. To his right, Bob is leaning into the tub to reach for lettuce. Across the tub, Jolene is climbing onto the container. Junior offered to share his chocolate chip cookies with the orangutans, but they wanted a healthier snack.

Junior’s adventures at the Oregon Zoo:
Enjoying a meal with Bob and Jolene
#kidlit #orangutan #oregonzoo

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting on a rock formation overlooking a water feature. One penguin is walking away behind him, while four other penguins are walking toward him. The penguins offered to teach Junior how to swim, but he told them that orangutans don’t like water. One of the more precocious younger penguins promptly jumped in the water, splashing Junior.

Junior’s adventures at the Oregon Zoo:
Chillin’ with the Humboldt penguins
#kidlit #orangutan #penguins #oregonzoo

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is lying on a platform made of wooden beams that’s partially covered with straw. He lying against a snoozing tiger lying in its side. Some trees and rocks are in the distance. Junior wisely finished his nap and left the enclosure before the tiger awoke and wanted a snack.

Junior’s adventures at the Oregon Zoo:
Catching some zzz’s with the tiger
#kidlit #orangutan #tiger #oregonzoo

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting atop a rock ledge. Behind him and to his left, a standing polar bear looks toward the camera. A variety of deciduous and evergreen trees are behind the animals.

Junior’s adventures at the Oregon Zoo:
Checking out the polar bear’s view
#kidlit #orangutan #polarbear #oregonzoo

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is lying on the back of a giraffe who’s walking toward a rock wall with grass on top. Behind the wall is another, grass-covered wall that topped with some trees. Junior and the giraffe are partly in sunlight and partly in shade. Junior later said that although the incline of the giraffe’s back was just the right angle, his gait was a little too bumpy for Junior to enjoy a deep sleep. He’s hoping for better luck with other animals.

Junior’s adventures at the Oregon Zoo:
Having a quick nap on the back of the giraffe
#kidlit #orangutan #oregonzoo

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting on the edge of a rock formation next to a white Rocky Mountain goat, who is lying on its side. Multiple moss-covered rock formations are behind them, one of which looks alike a set of crude steps. The area on which they’re resting is grassy. Junior was proud of himself for having figured out how to climb up next to the goat. He was less certain about how to get back down.

Junior’s adventures at the Oregon Zoo:
Hanging out with the Rocky Mountain goat
#kidlit #orangutan #oregonzoo

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting on a platform made of wooden beams. Across from him is a black bear holding a large red ball with holes in it like a wiffle ball. The ball is strung to a wooden trunk between them with a yellow strap attached to a green bungee cord. Junior learned a valuable lesson that day: anticipating that the ball is coming will allow you to catch it before it hits your face.

Junior’s adventures at the Oregon Zoo:
Playing catch with the American Black Bear
#kidlit #orangutan #oregonzoo

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting on a cement slab in a fenced enclosure next to a polar bear, who’s bent over several small chunks of ice. There’s a black water basin nearby.

Junior’s adventures at the Oregon Zoo:
Hoping the polar bear will share some ice on a hot day
#kidlit #orangutan #oregonzoo

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting inside a domed glass box with small, metal grating against the glass. Inside is a tesla coil, and Junior is peaking out from behind it. A light-up sign in the front of the box reads “TESLA COIL.” Those words are also displayed above the rectangle portion of the box. After being inside the display, Junior discovered that his hairdo wasn’t quite the same.

Junior’s adventures in California: Examining the Tesla Coil at the Griffith Observatory
#kidlit #orangutan #griffithobservatory #california

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is hanging from the end of the white telescope, which is pointed toward the right side of the photo. The dome is closed. There are set of rust-colored metal stairs on the far side of the telescope.

Junior’s adventures in California: Checking out the telescope at the Griffith Observatory
#kidlit #orangutan #griffithobservatory #california

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting at the edge of the crane that is suspended above the ground at the edge of a small slope. Behind him is a TV video camera and its operator. Spectators are scattered on the fringes of the down slope.

Junior’s adventures at the U.S. Amateur:
Getting a bird’s-eye view of Hazeltine National Golf Club
#kidlit #orangutan #usamateur2024 #hazeltinegolf

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is lying on the green beneath a black-and-white stripped flag pole topped with a red flag marking the green. Some spectators are off the far side of the green and large trees are behind them.

Junior’s adventures at the U.S. Amateur:
Taking a nap on the 15th green
#kidlit #orangutan #2024usamateur

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting in long grass by a pond with his back to the camera. A tortoise is sunning itself on a rock at the edge of the pond. The tortoise asked Junior if he’d like to join her in a swim. Junior thanked her but said that orangutans aren’t fond of water.

Junior’s adventures at the U.S. Amateur:
Saying “hello” to the local wildlife.
#kidlit #orangutan #usamateur2024

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting on the fairway behind a white golf ball. To his left, the player in a green shirt, white baseball cap,and black pants is drinking from a clear plastic water bottle. The player is watching his caddie, who is using a range finder. The caddie is wearing khaki shorts, a black shirt, yellow baseball cap, and a red bib. There are a line of spectators to the left of the player and caddie.

Junior’s adventures at the U.S. Amateur:
Guarding the ball while the player and his caddie check the distance to the pin.
#kidlit #orangutan #2024usamateur

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is hanging sideways on a flagpole. Above him, a white flag with red and blue writing is unfurled. The flag reads, “124th U.S. Amateur, Hazeltine.”

Junior’s adventures at the U.S. Amateur tournament:
Checking out the breeze from atop the flagpole.
#kidlit #orangutan #2024usamateur

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is lying on a tree branch that it wound through the wooden support for a see-through nesting box. The ocelot is lying inside the box. Junior is below the box and is resting his head on his arms. The rest of the tree and some rock features are visible in the photo. Junior wanted the ocelot to come out and play until I mentioned that the cat may think he looks tasty.

Junior’s adventures at the Elmwood Park Zoo: Catching some zzz’s with the ocelot
#kidlit #orangutan #elmwoodparkzoo

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is in front of our bookcase. Behind him are a variety of children’s books, including one written by Dr. Seuss and another written by Shel Silverstein. In front of the books is a yellow egg. I’m giving him 24 more hours, and then I’m claiming the egg and whatever’s inside.

It’s six days after Easter, and Junior is still trying to find the last egg. Can you help him?
#kidlit #orangutan

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting on the floor next to a pink box with receipts spilling out. In front of him is a 1040 tax form with his name in bold black letters. He’s holding a black pen. To his left is a white notepad with the calculation “$25 + $75 =?” written on it. A yellow pencil and calculator are on the pad. He wasn’t sure how to record a payment of 10 bananas on the form. Help is appreciated.

Junior attempts to complete his taxes before the midnight deadline. It would help if he could remember how to add and subtract.
#kidlit #orangutan #taxday2025

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is sitting behind the goat, who is eating from a bright blue dish. The goat’s wooden hut is nearby. Junior offered to swap his dinner for the goat’s but then realized he didn’t bring his dinner with him.

Junior’s adventures at the Elmwood Park Zoo:
Hoping to grab some dinner from … er, with the Nigerian dwarf goat
#kidlit #orangutan #elmwoodparkzoo

Junior, my stuffed orangutan, is wearing a red plaid flannel scarf and a white knit hat with a dark green band and puffy ball at the top. Although the storm warnings were canceled, he refused to take them off.

Although he had no plans to go outside, Junior was still prepared for today’s snowstorm … which never arrived.
#kidlit #orangutan